AI Article Synopsis
- The study investigates the effectiveness of using echocardiography in preparticipation screenings for competitive athletes, as traditional methods like electrocardiograms might miss early cardiac structural changes.
- Out of 2,688 athletes evaluated, most echocardiograms (92.5%) were normal, but 7.5% showed changes, with left ventricular hypertrophy being the most common issue.
- The research concludes that incorporating echocardiography in initial screenings can help identify rare but critical cardiac conditions, thereby enhancing athlete safety and reducing the risk of sudden cardiac events.
Article Abstract
Introduction And Objectives: Despite the established diagnostic value of the electrocardiogram in preparticipation screening of athletes, some cardiac structural changes can be missed, particularly in early disease stages. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of cardiac structural changes via the systematic use of echocardiography in preparticipation screening of competitive athletes.
Methods: Professional athletes or participants in a competitive athletic program underwent a screening that included family and personal medical history, physical examination, electrocardiography, exercise testing, and Doppler echocardiography.
Results: A total of 2688 athletes (67% men; mean age [standard deviation], 21 [10] years) were included. Most of the echocardiographic evaluations (92.5%) were normal and only 203 (7.5%) showed changes; the most frequent change was left ventricular hypertrophy, seen in 50 athletes (1.8%). Cessation of athletic activity was indicated in 4 athletes (0.14%): 2 for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (electrocardiography had shown changes that did not meet diagnostic criteria), 1 pectus excavatum with compression of the right ventricle, and 1 significant pulmonary valve stenosis; the rest of the changes did not entail cessation of athletic activity and only indicated periodic monitoring.
Conclusions: Although rare, some cardiac structural changes can be missed on physical examination and electrocardiography; in contrast, they are easily recognized with echocardiography. These findings suggest the use of echocardiography in at least the first preparticipation screening of competitive athletes to improve the effectiveness of programs aimed at preventing sudden death in athletes.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rec.2013.11.023 | DOI Listing |
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